01/04/2012

Does defence make for good photos?

Steve Russell -Staff Photographer

Defence might win championships but scores of photographers believe that defence doesn't make for good sports pictures.

I can agree with that to a point. Defence slows the game down and helps reduce errors that might make for a spectacular play. In most sports defence might increase the amount of time per posession thereby reducing the total number of opportunities for pictures in a game.

The Raptors "pound the rock" defence philosophy had me a little worried since we hired Dwayne Casey to lead the troops. That is until I've seen them play a pair of games this season. While a porous defence and a run and gun type game generates some spectacular action, the defensive game that the Raptors are adopting does generate pictures, they are just a little different from what we are used to. There will be more shots from the outside.

We have to look beyond the ball carrier look for some of the individual battles for position that are happening.

We also have a very excitable coach, that makes things a little easier.

And tonight we had Brampton's Tristan Thompson visiting with the Cavs.

Back to Defence, I do think that the biggest impact will be on the fans who were hoping for that free slice of pizza!

Andrea Bargnani warms up with resistance bands prior to the Toronto Raptors hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward and Brampton native Tristan Thompson looks at the flag during the national anthems.

Toronto Raptors power forward Amir Johnson hauls in a loose ball in front of Daniel Gibson in first half action.

Tristan Thompson hauls in a rebound in front of Ed Davis in second half action.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson draws a foul on James Johnson in first half action.

Tristan Thompson shoots on of his two foul shots.

Leandro Barbosa gets charged for the blocking foul on Anthony Parker in first half action.

Andrea Bargnani takes a shoulder in the chest from Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Antawn Jamison.

Jose Calderon who had a double-double (13 points, 11 assists) is fouled by Ryan Hollins in second half action.

Brampton's Tristan Thompson wipes away sweat in second half .

Jose Calderon brings back his three point celebration in second half action.

After sinking 3 of his 31 points, Andrea Bargnani indulges in a rare on court smile in second half action.

Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan celebrates after scoring three of his 25 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-77.

This is from the "what the heck?" file. A fan sitting in the $1050 front row shot video with her iPad of the entire game, essentially watching the entire game on her iPad. Seems silly, she could have saved 950 bucks and bought the NBA package for the iPad for 100 dollars and watched all of the NBA games on her iPad for the entire season!